The Yates County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public alert about a phone scam targeting local residents. The scam involves an individual posing as a deputy and using intimidation tactics to coerce victims into sending money or clicking on a suspicious link.
According to the sheriff’s office, the scammer utilizes a phone application to disguise their number, making it appear as if the call is coming directly from the Yates County Sheriff’s Office. During the call, the impersonator falsely claims that the recipient has an outstanding arrest warrant and demands immediate payment to resolve the issue.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office stressed that these claims are fraudulent. “Law enforcement does not use threats of arrest to collect payments or address warrants,” officials emphasized. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and not to provide any personal information, send money, or click on any links shared by these callers.
To combat this scam and assist the community, the Yates County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with concerns or who may have been targeted to reach out directly at 315-536-4438.
Authorities remind residents to verify suspicious claims independently and to be cautious of unsolicited calls requesting financial transactions.
